What to do with this child?!

[Purplehonesty]

I am looking after a 5yo child for the summer holidays. She and my ds both start school the week after next.
So far for the past four weeks the two of them have done nothing but argue and wind each other up and it is getting to the stage where my ds is crying and doesn't want her to come anymore. I don't think I have ever seen him fall out with another child he is so mild mannered, but the two of them are wrestling over toys and constantly bickering.
It got to the stage today that I had to seperate/redirect them so many times that I was losing my temper.
It has ruined our summer holidays and although it is only one more week I am actually dreading spending more time with her.
She walks into the house at 7.30am and it starts immediately. She wants the first breakfast, the blue chair, my sons favourite teddy and repeat. Everything is a race and she taunts ds constantly.
I've so far tried to keep them busy and out doing activities but to be honest I am exhausted with it!
Give me strength/strategy to deal with this please as at the moment I feel like saying to her mum I have had enough!!
Poor ds actually lashed out today when she wrestled another toy off him and as I put him to time out I thought this is so unfair, he must have reached breaking point too!

you need to make them a team. give them a shared enemy. (you-probably)

make a game where they are on one team and you on the other and they have to work together to beat you. like at the park, you are a monster and they have to capture you. or at home, a race to see who can build the highest lego tower.

Great ideas thank you.
She isn't coming on Friday and this thought is getting me through the week.
She is a lovely girl too - just very very full of energy and mischief. Thankfully she doesn't do it with my young daughter they get on really well.
I think I will have to get some earplugs and more outdoor games like you suggest!

so you only have tomorrow and then next week with her is that right?

I would try and think up a project that they could do some of each day. something arty maybe? that you could use as a distraction when they start bickering. just announce "right, who wants to do X project?" have them at opposite sides of the table. and just grit your teeth when it all gets too much. I hope her parents are returning the favour! or bringing a huge bottle of wine for you

sorry. I've just realised this is in the CMer section and you're not doing a favour for a mate. ignore my last comment about her parents returning the favour! wine will still be necessary though

OP she doesn't sound like a nice little girl!

You either have to totally nip it in the bud or give her notice. It is not fair on your own child. I have had this with my own 5 year old and two other mindees both 5. The first mindee stopped eventually. But the second didn't and rolled it over into school. Which is when I knew I couldn't carry on. I've totally stopped now as my kids have had enough. A bit drastic I know, but DS2 hated sharing his home and toys sometimes.

I used to explain to the other children that actually lots of the toys belonged to my boys, and that they had very kindly allowed me to use them for childminding. And that sometimes they felt sad that they had to share. I asked them to imagine how they'd feel if they had to share their Home, Mum and toys with other children. This usually did the trick. I always made my children share though, unless it was a special toy and it went upstairs, as I had to be fair.

I think sometimes we underestimate the affect that minding has on our children. They do have to come first though.

Yes I agree that 7.30 is early and the little girl gets in first. Both mine struggled with other children being downstairs before they got up.

I could have written this as I've been going through this ATM. I also only have next week left until school starts. I read and reply later as I have children coming now.

I have sent you a PM. I will add, I think you should keep your sons special toys and things in his room so that this child cant get to them. Anything that might get damaged or that he loves. Maybe let him pick what he wants to take away.

Yes it's only this week and next. Thank goodness. And she is off tomorrow so I am having three days (three whole days!!!) with my family.
Today we baked, made bracelets and did drawing then went out for the rest of the day.
It was a good day and they only fell out when we got back. Literally had been through the door 5 mins when the 'it's mine' started.
I won't take on any older children again I don't think, my other mindees are all below 2 and this works well as I have a 2yo and ds likes the little ones too.
My plan is to stop cm when dd gets her nursery place next September and concentrate on my other business that I currently do in the evenings.
I've told ds I will take a week off in October and we will do some fun things and trips then, just us. We also plan to go camping any weekend we can whilst it is still warm to give him some more 'holiday'

Some good ideas about choosing a colour for plates/cups. I don't think ds could have breakfast before she arrives as he usually just rolling out of bed. Never wake a sleeping child - he might revert to his 6am days again!!

I have a bottle of wine ready to be cracked open tomorrow night when dh finishes work!

She actually is a nice girl, just high high energy. She is mischievous - she tends to whisper suggestions to dd and encourage the two of them to do things they wouldn't normally. I think she gets away with pretty much anything at home and rules the roost.
She is very clever tho and a beautiful drawer/writer.

I would suggest separating 'group toys' from 'son's toys'. She is on the back foot, away from home and your son is in his own environment. I think it's natural that she is trying to assert herself. It's not fair to expect her to be grateful to your son for sharing his things if she has nothing of her own to play with or trade.

Sorry, it was blinkingheck, not you, who suggested that she should be mindful that her children had kindly allowed them to play with their toys.

Thanks heebie. Yes I think you are right I will keep things a bit more seperate from now on. We have a playroom that the kids like to spend time in but perhaps I should move some of his more special toys out and keep them in his room.
Thank you for your post. I've never had a problem before with my two sharing their toys they are really good about it so I am thankful for that.
They are such good friends with the two little boys I look after that they are upset when they aren't here. I ask ds frequently if he is happy with my childminding and he always says he likes having lots of children to play with and prefers it to being on his own! Funnily enough he doesn't think that about this wee girl.

Day off today was bliss, we had a great day swimming and now my two are off for a sleepover with granny. Wine in hand, Chinese on its way. I almost can't remember the past five weeks...

Heebie - it worked for me.
At reception age children are perfectly capable of understanding what's theirs what belongs to other people and what is shared.

Children should be grateful for any toys that they play with and should share and take care of them accordingly.